Buffalo Bills News - April 6, 2002

Troops in Afghan war get Bills gear [9:17 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson has sent a package of Bills hats, shirts and other items to a U.S. military unit serving in Afghanistan.'

Bills make pitch to land Bledsoe [7:24 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'The Patriots and Bills were busy this week trying to strike a deal that would send Drew Bledsoe slightly northwest, to AFC East rival Buffalo, Patriot sources said yesterday.'

DE Charles Grant Visits Bills [6:39 AM]buffalobills.com reports:
Buffalo is a great place to play football. There's a good tradition for guys like me at the Defensive End, guys like Bruce Smith. They are a young team and on the rise. The coaching staff and the people of Buffalo are great, since I've been here. They show a lot of interest in football.

OT Bryant McKinnie Talks About His Visit To Buffalo [6:36 AM]buffalobills.com reports:
I've been looking at Buffalo for a while. I actually saw a magazine and the cover had my photo and it said 'Will He Be a Bill?' I've heard that for a while that I might be coming here. I have been looking at the team more closely.

Season Ticket Prices Remain The Same [6:27 AM]buffalobills.com reports:
The Bills today announced that the teamís season ticket prices will remain the same for the third consecutive year.

April 5, 2002

Grady Jackson Close to Signing With Jets [10:55 AM]Newark Star Ledger reports:
The Jets yesterday made an offer to Oakland Raiders unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Grady Jackson and he appears to be leaning towards accepting it after extending his visit another day.

Bills sign safety Billy Jenkins [10:47 AM]AP reports:
'Jenkins, who completed last season with Green Bay, signed what is believed to be a two-year deal worth about $1.5 million. He now tops a Bills' depth chart featuring only two experienced safeties -- Travares Tillman and Raion Hill, both entering their third season.'

Learn from the Pros: Pierson Prioleau [10:07 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
As a safety the first technique you want to acquire is the "wisdom vision technique". The purpose of this technique is to get an overview of the field and the formation before the snap of the ball.

Bills agree to terms with Jenkins [10:06 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The Bills today announced that the team has agreed to terms with safety BILLY JENKINS. In accordance with club policy, terms were not disclosed.

High pick offers Bills prizes aplenty [9:12 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Even if the Bills decide to trade down, they will be able to land a good one. But I don't think they should go past the top 10 or 12 because that's where the truly special players usually are.'

Clayton: Bills sign S Jenkins, address another draft need [8:38 AM]ESPN reports:
The Bills reached a two-year, $1.475 million agreement with Packers safety Billy Jenkins as GM Tom Donahoe narrows down his team's needs heading into the draft. Though Jenkins was signed for depth and his experience, his addition allows the Bills to look at positions other than safety. The Bills, who had Oklahoma S Roy Williams in town for a visit, made a similar move a week ago when they signed tackle Trey Teague. Signing Teague along with tackle Marcus Price gave the Bills the luxury of drafting or not drafting a tackle in the first round.

Donahoe has the fourth selection in the draft. With good depth at safety and the offensive line, the Bills can consider the possibility to trading down and acquiring more draft choices.

Moore hopes to find home in Bills secondary [5:14 AM]D and C reports:
'"It's a business, it's life, and you have to move on, so it's time for me to start fresh, start new," Moore said Thursday afternoon after visiting with the Buffalo Bills.'

April 4, 2002

Robinson mulls Bills and Titans offers [9:30 PM]AP reports:
'Without revealing the details of the offers, McGuire said the Titans' bid is better than Buffalo's. The Bills have reportedly offered Robinson a one-year $700,000 deal. McGuire said his next step is to contact the Bills to see whether they would sweeten their offer.'

Rehabbing Moore gauges Bills interest [9:29 PM]AP reports:
'Free agent Damon Moore is walking with a limp, the result of a recent knee surgery, and doesn't believe he'll be ready to play until September. That didn't stop the former Philadelphia Eagles starting strong safety from accepting an invitation to meet with the Buffalo Bills about a potential job on Thursday.'

Bills get closer perspective on three draft prospects [9:28 PM]AP reports:
'The Bills, who haven't yet decided what they're going to do with the fourth overall pick, got a closer perspective when they brought in both Williamses [Mike and Roy] and Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for a visit on Thursday. All three play at positions which the Bills would like to bolster. And all three are projected top-10 selections.'

Bills sign safety Billy Jenkins [8:18 PM]ESPN reports:
@ The Bills have agreed to terms with safety Billy Jenkins on a contract for 2 years worth $1.475 million including a $200,000 signing bonus. Jenkins finished last season with the Green Bay after starting the season with the Denver Broncos, who released Jenkins.

Mike Williams was a Bills fan as a kid [5:46 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Q: Have you looked at the Bills prior to this visit knowing they have the fourth pick and are interested in drafting a lineman? A: Quite honestly I watched Buffalo as a little kid, you know, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and all of them. I looked at Buffalo. I knew Buffalo was slotted in the fourth pick but it gets to a point where I have no control over where I go. If Buffalo decides to draft me then I'm here and I'm going to be happy.

Buffalo Bills Care Package - Special Delivery [2:39 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
A group of elite special forces personnel serving in Afghanistan recently received a special package containing Bills hats, shirts and other paraphernalia from Bills owner Ralph Wilson.

Free-agent acquisitions can alter draft needs [12:17 PM]CNN/SI reports:
Perhaps Buffalo is in the cat-bird seat to entertain trading down with a team that's eager to nab Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington, picking up a bevy of picks in the process.

Rob Johnson Seeks Revival with Gruden, Bucs [12:14 PM]CBS Sportsline reports:
"I knew what they wanted," said Johnson. "I didn't want to go in there and get into a situation where the fans were always yelling for the other guy to play. I've dealt with that plenty already in my career."

Rookie Review: Brandon Spoon [11:23 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
I got picked up on the second day, so it was on Saturday evening when I got really anxious and nervous. Saturday night turned out to be the longest night of my life. I was trying to sleep and relax. Right away the next morning when I got up the draft started and I got my phone call.

Bills in the running to land Grady Jackson [9:04 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Jackson is friendly with Bills Director of Pro Personnel John Guy, who coached defensive ends in Oakland during Jackson's first two seasons.'

Ex-Bill Sean Moran signs with 49ers [8:25 AM]CBS Sportsline reports:
Moran is a six-year veteran who spent his first four seasons with Buffalo and the last two with the Rams, where he was a part-time starter in the 2000 season. He'll add depth to the Niners' defensive line. "He's got a great motor, and he's going to have a good presence in the locker room," Donahue said of Moran. "He's been an inside pass-rusher before, but we see him on the (defensive) end."

Jackson to Buffalo? [7:45 AM]Shout! reports:
@ Raiders free agent tackle Grady Jackson was in Buffalo to check out the scene. Jackson is a 6'2", 325-pound take-up-spacer. That's short for "he takes up space," and holds his line at the point of attack.

The problem is Gregg Williams doesn't like fat guys....

Raiders' lineman Jackson visits Bills [5:11 AM]D and C reports:
'Jackson started for the Raiders the last two years and has 19 career sacks. Last fall, he recorded 69 tackles and four sacks after 2000 shoulder surgery.'